The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-03
tox on which some dear to did not crown
with their lives their devotion to their native

companions. cold in death will my heart be ere
l cease to loye and honor you; yet my heart is
large enough to embrace my whole country.
from the Atlantic to Pacific, from the lakes
to the gulf; to rejoice in her prosperity. to glory
in her greatness, to feel thrill of pride when
her course is as glorious as her might is resist
less. when her magnanimity equals her power.
And to you, gentlemen of Gettysburg, let me
say this is an opportunity to display maenan-
unity worthy of this great Nation. Leave to
time, the touch-stone that tries all human
action, the question of right and wrong involved;
let the future historian. probably unborn, try
the cause, and posterity will lender verdict
which is apt to he just. To them let us leave IL
Its deeds have been done, its drama closed,
but for our country there remains future.
We, too, are making history. If this occasion,
being in the interest of peace and reconciliation
will fill bright page in that history. with what
luster woHld that ons shine which would record
q similar reunion. national in it's character, In
which should be buried all rancor and hatred,
from which we could go forth. not merely citi-
Zeus, but friends and brothers, animated by one
aim-the greatness and glory of orr common
country. Adopt, in it's true spirit. the union
monument suggested, and with a rnagnanamity
broad enough to embrace orr whole country,
deep enough to bury in oblivion the bitterness
and hate of past strife, build on the spot sug-
gested a monument to immorralize American
valor and demonstrate American magnanimity.
governments and every State in the Union. Com
plete It. if possible, by the twenty fifth ami
versary of the battle. Send out your invita-
tions, and my word for it, Gettysburg will wit
ness such q gathering the whole world has
seldom seen-itB hills and valleys dotted with
white tents, not filled with angry combatants,
ready TO hurl each other to destruction. but with
the highest type of American manhood, ready to
join hands in true and hearty reconciliation,
which shall make us again united and happy
people. Do this, and write the name
of American higher the roll OF true
fame than you could have done had you
been able to write yourselves victorious on
every battlefield of the war. / cannot but be-
lleve that this suggestion will commend itself to
the good men everywhere in our broad land,
and il properly carried out will do more to re-
store true friendship in the sections than any
other thing which could be done. Let us,
my countrymen, embrace the opportunity and
make one page in American history which shall
shine with lustre unsurpassed by any recorded
since the world began"
Upon the conclusion Of Captain Reeves
speech Colonel Banes introduced Col Alexander
K. Mcclure, of Philadelphia, who had been
chosen to extend welcome from the citizens Of
Philadelphia particularly. and from the State of
Pennsylvania generally to the Virginians. In
concluding his address, Colonel Mcclure said:
81 greet you in the rame of the great North,
now inseparably interviewer with the great
South in sympathy, In interest and in fellow
ship. Free government is stronger at home and
mightier abroad to-day because of the wounds of
civil war. and our children and our children's
children will turn to its sacrifices. its sorrows
and its irrevocable judgments as the surest
guarantee that governments OF the people, by
the people and for the people shall not perish
Col VIM. r. Aylett, who succeeded General
Armistead as commander of the brigade upon
the death of Armistead. having been chosen to
respond on behalf of the State of Virginia to
Pennsylvania welcome, said:
''Not only do receive and shall ever treasure
the noble sentiments of Colonel Mcclure the
voice of Pennsylvania aud her chief city. but
also OF those brave men who met us here twenty
four years ago with q valor that could not
overcome and who meet as here tonight with Q
loving welcome so dear to as and to people.
Not only do We cherish the sentiments nobly
expressed, warm and true, from the hearts Of
our brethren of the North. but remem bering the
vocation and profession of the gifted speaker.
we hear in loud tones the voice of the great
American press-that power mlghtier than
armies navies, mightier than the swords
and sceptres Of kings on whose support
ing arms the Goddess of Liberty leans,
and whose daily utrerances proclaim that
peace, friendship and love once more bind the
American people with the golden bands of indis-
men, the press and the brave and generous
soldiers of our land have brought this night
and these scenes to pass. All honor and love to
both"
Among other sentences uttered by Colonel
Aylette were these:
II utter it as q sentiment that comes yelling
mp from every bosom in Virginia and the South,
that the man who would rekindle again that
feeling which filled our land with death, and
tears, and grief and mourning, with
graves and suffering. is not only unworthy of
the high title of American citizen. but
even of that of human being. and should find no
home or friends on earth or in heaven. There
is not 9 true man at the South to-day but who
feels as if he would like to stand at the tornOs of
Lincoln and Grant, to plant flower there and
to water it with a manly tear In the presence
of a feeling like this too sacred and deep for
utterance, what matters it who shall keep the
battle fags2 They passed into your hands in
brave and manly combat untouched by dis
honor, after a baptism in blood that made the
gray jacket mantle of glory, and we
willing your people should keep them as ours.
They are in the hands of our government and
brethren, to whom our honor should be dear
as their own Never again will old battle
flags wave in strife. They have gone down for
ever, but they went down in glory and in hon
or. They are dead. and we love and follow alone
now the living flag which floats from Key West
to Behrine strait, from Bunker Hill to San
Francisco"
Speeches were also made by Gen. W. F. (Bal-
dy) Smith. Gen. Joshua T. Owen, Gen. Isaac P.
Wistar. Col John II. Taggart and others for the
the "blue." and Col. Charles T. Lohr, secretary
Of Pickett's Division Association; Col j. F.
Croker, Col Robert NJ Striben. DR.. J. A. Mar
shall, Col Tinoleum Smith, Col. Kirk Otey and
others, on behalf of the grey"
John w. Frazier, secretary of the committee
On arrangements. stated that letters Of regret
had been received from the President and his
Cabinet, from Senator Sherman, Governor Fitz-
hugh Lee, Hon. Edwin NJ. Filter Mayor of
Philadelphia: Gen. Louis Wagner, Hon. George
W. Childs, George William Curtis, Charles A.
DANA Gen. d. Fl. Hastings, Adjutant-general of
Pennsylvania; Gibson Peacock and others. The
Presidents letter was read. It was as follows
EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON D. c.
June "a 1887. |
IL have received your invitation to attend as |
guest of the Philadelphia Brigade, q reunion |
Of ex confederate soldiers of Pickest's division,
who survived their terrible charge at Gettys- |
those
oy whom it was heroically resisted The |
meeting of these soldiers upon the |
battlefield where twentyfour years ago, in |
deadly fray, they fsrcely sought each others |
ives. where they saw their conn AIDES fall, and |
where all their thoughts were of Vengeance and |
destruction, will illustrate the general impulse |
IF brave and their honest desire
FOR peace and reconciliation The friendly
assault there to be made will be- resistless
because inspired by American chivalry; and its |
results will be glorious. because conquered
hearts will be its trophies of success. There